Re: "Thank you for the most sensible article I have read since Madeleine went missing".

For God's sake, yes I agree. Such negative thoughts and energy towards these poor parents whose hearts are broken !!! Can't people see that? Now move on and pray with/for them and for Maddie. Daily, I look up anything I can find with only Hope in my heart for them. People: Have some HOPE !!! Not BLAME ... xo to all of them ... d

D, Nova Scotia , Canada

The week which preceded India Knight's article showed the British public at its worst. Almost as deeply disturbing as watching the McCanns deal with their loss under the world's gaze, was seeing so many of us be so quick to see bad in people, when any logical analysis would lead you to see only good. The tone of the debate was so like the case of Sally Clark. Here was a woman with an enviable middle class life, who having suffered surely life's ultimate tragedy (on a life for life analysis), then finds herself vilified by the press (yes the press), the public and let down by the judicial system. All those who doubted Sally Clark's innocence, in my view, played a part in her sad death at such a young age of what appeared to be a broken heart. Let's not make the same mistake twice. Neither should we judge the actions of people living a very real and continuing nightmare but assume they are doing their best in an intolerable situation and under advice to find their daughter.

Jen Hamilton, Leeds,

People, even parents, are as individualistic as their children. For so long as we live in a democracy and have the right to free speech, then we also have the right to express our opinions forcibly and heaven forbid, disagree with one another.
Nobody knows, even up to the writing this (9.26.07), that Madeleine was actually 'snatched'. All that we know for certain is that the McCanns did leave her and her siblings unattended and that she has disappeared. This is a very emotive case on many levels and feelings and responses must be expected to run high. If one views events from the perspective that the McCanns are guiltless of anything beyond a 'temporary' negligence, then it would indeed seem harsh to 'attack' them. However, as no such surety of a lack of active culpability exists, it is hardly surprising that those who think the McCanns are guilty of some misdemeanor which has led ultimately to Madeleine's disappearance, are expressing their opinions in rather vehement fashion.

Alan, Oswestry, UK/Shropshire

Thank you for the most sensible article I have read since Madeleine went missing.

Alison finch, Sydney, Australia

Thank you India for your article (sept 16), I have been getting increasingly upset and angry over the last couple of months at the disgusting filth being written on some internet sites by so called human beings.To actually believe the McCanns deserve this torment is loathsome. I made the mistake once of going on one site to ask where was the empathy and compassion? I was howled down, it was like being attacked by a pack of rabid dogs. People capable of so much hate are deeply disturbing. The McCanns were being compared to Fred West 7 or 8 weeks ago on some sites. I have been absolutely horrified by the intensity of the onslaught. I think you are absolutely right in your assessment .I also think there is a bit of jealousy going on .Could some of this hatred stem from the fact the McCanns are educated, well paid Doctors? Not that the howling mob would ever admit to that. I am just truly sorry there are such vicious people in our society and it doesn't bode well for our future.

lisa, Manchester,

Well said India! I'm totally with you on this. I do not have children (through choice), and I can't believe there is no solidarity between the nation's parents on this issue. Those parents condeming the McCanns are tredding a very thin line - after all - who'll be backing you if something this awful befalls your kid?

Sandra Wilson, Glossop, Derbyshire

i dont have any children myself but i feel what the mccanns are put through is worse than hell. i cant beleive the kind of comments some people have made about them . i think a lot of those nasty comments stem from jealousy,insecurities etc.
i hope the mccanns get all the help and support they can and clear their name. their faith will help them . and my prayers are with that unfortunate couple who is not only dealing with the loss of their daughter but also the cruelty of their own countrymen and media and some portugese police who have no clue to what they are doing.
THANK YOU INDIA FOR WRITING SUCH A GREAT ARTICLE
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT FAMILY.

lakshmi, leeds,

I couldn't agree more with India Knight about the lack of empathy in many of the public for Gerry and Kate McCann. How on earth can they be suspected of being involved in the death of Madeleine when no body has even been found? There is no proof that she isn't still alive. The only person or people I have no empathy for, one iota, are the possible paedophile(s) who might have taken the child in either a spontaneous or a carefully planned kidnapping. Nor do I have any empathy for the secretive nature of the Portuguese criminal justice system. How does the public know that the McCanns are not being set up? My wife and I have had three very happy holidays in the Algarve. Till this tragic case is thoroughly solved, nothing makes me want to return to the Algarve again.

Mike Smith, Lodon, UK

I do not believe the Mccanns killedd their daughter. no one knows how they would behave or feel if their child was taken, so none of us has the right to to be hostile towards them. they were told by police not to display emotions as the kidnapper may thrive on seeing them do so, or worse still become angry with Madeleine. Behavior towards them is mankind at its worse, pack mentality.Innocent until proven guilty. I pray for their beloved daughter to be alive, although their lives can never be the same.
Barbara Merseyside

Raphael Perry, Liverpool, England

I don't know if Madeline's parents are guilty or not..no one knows...but for India Knight to berate the public for their interest is a bit hypocritical.Who has whipped up this interest if not the british press? It's the media circus that has been covering the story 24/7 for weeks! Nothing wrong with having Madeline on the front page but why the pictures and every minutia of her parents life discussed in the British press? Ms Knight maybe you have heard of the words kettle,pot and black?

S Andar, Stanmore, England

I agreed with nearly every word of India Knight's article. But why was it used as an excuse to print a selection of quotes from the sites of exactly the type she complained about? The "quality" papers do this to retain both the moral high ground and their sales figures. Their readers Know they will get all the gossip.

A.Williams, Tonbridge, England

The hounding of Kate and Gerry McCann by the rabid, evil remarks by certain individuals on certain websites, highlighted by India Knight today is a national disgrace. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Unscrupulous media coverage is encouraging the bullying mentality which appears to be rife in this country (e.g. Jade Goody types - big mouth, no intellect, ranting,screaming and scheming) you are guilty, guilty because they hate anyone who has been educated, work hard, take nothing from the state, pay taxes and love god! They delight in the pain, anguish and helplessness of the McCann family, because this is how they themselves feel everyday. People who have no moral compass, assume everyone behaves as they do! Why should only their voices be heard?

It is time the backbone of our society, caring for others,sympathy, empathy and support comes to the aid of the McCann family - including ethical, fair reporting! Well done India, an article long overdue.

Christine Carmichael, Wilmslow, Cheshire

Brilliant and sharp observations, India. The anonymity provided by the internet has somehow encouraged all those who don't want to be held accountable for their words to open up and speak their previously unspeakable, twisted thoughts. Kate, Gerry and family, I hope you will be re-united with Madeleine, or at the very least, be granted the privacy you need to deal with your grief.

Renee Ford, Winchester,

The McCaans are innocent. The media frenzy has ignited the gullibility in us all as well as trying to 'play God'. Leave them alone and let them get on with their search. Sometimes information, especially unfounded, is rather like statistics, bend it anyway and you see a different picture. Good luck to Mr and Mrs McCaan. I support them all the way.

Nila Bhakta, Birmingham, UK

It's about time everybody who has criticise and abused the McCanna wind their necks in. Everybody is suddenly an expert in child welfare, police forensics, etc etc. Firstly as a parent myself, they get my heartfelt sympathy. We all think we would know how we would react and feel - we have no idea. Secondly, yes they were silly(and they know it) in leaving Madeleine as they did. This does not however make them bad parents, just tragically unfortunate. It's clear that the allegations coming from Portugal as to their involvement in the little girl's disappearence are rubbish. The police in that country fouled up from day one, and are clutching at straws. In closing we have no right to judge and air such disgraceful sentiments at the McCanns. These days everyone is an expert aren't they, so that leaves us with the fact that ultimately no one is.

Martin Olyett, Watford, Herts

Is there really any parent out there who can say that they have wrapped their child in cotton wool from birth to 18. At no stage in that childs life did you not once put your child in a possibly risky situation. My husband myself and my 4 yr old daughter took 6 months out to travel round Europe in a Camper van. During that 6 months we Lost Our daughter 4 times. Each time she just wandered off or we left her in the "safe" hands of a local we hardly knew. Each time we believed her to be safe and each time I panicked until I was sick to my stomach with fear. But also each time I was reassured by local spanish portugese french and yuogoslav folk that in their country she will be perfectly safe. And yes on each of the 4 times my daughter was safe. Let you without sin cast the first stone etc.
But to be honest in hind sight I was Just Lucky. The McCanns were just Unlucky. Not a day goes by that my heart does not bleed for them both.

Heather Smith, Leeds, UK

i dont have any children myself but i feel what the mccanns are put through is worse than hell. i cant beleive the kind of comments some people have made about them . i think a lot of those nasty comments stem from jealousy,insecurities etc.
i hope the mccanns get all the help and support they can and clear their name. their faith will help them . and my prayers are with that unfortunate couple who is not only dealing with the loss of their daughter but also the cruelty of their own countrymen and media and some portugese police who have no clue to what they are doing.
THANK YOU INDIA FOR WRITING SUCH A GREAT ARTICLE
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT FAMILY.

lakshmi, leeds, england

Good luck to Kate and Gerry - what they have been through is unbelievable. To lose your baby in those circumstances, let alone to be accused as they have is unthinkable. My thoughts and prayers are with them and to all those judgemental souls out there I say "there but for the grace of God go you"

jenny phillips, adelaide, australia

The people who have written such venomous comments on the internet are sanctimonious, ignorant and self-righteous people who cannot have had any contact with real grief or they would be more circumspect about their vicious comments.

The world is difficult a place to live in without the mentality of the people who waste valuable space on the internet with their worthless rants. God help them and let us hope nothing traumatic or dreadful happens to a member of their family.

They should look up the word 'conscience' in the dictionary and soon.

All our thoughts are with the McCanns not the imbeciles who mentioned above.

Helen Drury, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Todays' (16th Sep) article in the Review section is one of the most considerate,enlightened and balanced articles put into print on this sad affair.Top marks to Ms India Knight for penning this significant piece of journalism.

tom payne, kerry, ireland

I feel sickened by India Knight's excellent article. I had no idea of the public condemnation of the McCanns until now. What a ghastly and warped society we live in, where a couple in the worst kind of situation parents could be put, are exposed so violently to ignorant and self-righteous cruelty from the general public, or should I call them the modern internet-prowling 'mob'? It's all still speculation after all, and yes mistakes were made but that doesn't turn a parent into a murderer. What happened to the fundamental right of being innocent until proven guilty? One internet post questioned Kate McCann's running - when I was in an abusive relationship 7 years ago I found that running was one of the few things which kept me sane; it made me feel stronger to face another day - isn't Kate McCann also being abused; by her anguish and now also by the public? I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my first child and feel so disappointed with the world into which it will be be born.

Helen P, London, London

Many years ago I saw a movie where a young girl was abducted from her home......I cannot recollect the movie title or whether it was a true story or not.....it involved the abductor using chloroform to abduct the child then wrapping her in a blanket as if carrying a sleeping child.......she was taken to a place where her hair was cut to make her look like a little boy.....her hair and eyebrows were then dyed black and fake tan applied to change her complexion.......of course this was only a movie but I recall the transformation being incredible......My query is......Were there ever any posters distributed showing Madeleine with a possible changed appearance or were the only posters distributed the one that is so easily recognizable to all.....

Kate, Queensland, Australia

Once again, India Knight has hit the nail on the head - a balanced, well thought out article that exactly expresses what I am thinking.

It frightens me to think that there are so many people out there who are so quick to pass judgement - have they never made a mistake? I would never have left my child unattended at that age - but I don't judge the McCanns for making a different decision to mine.

I am deeply worried that so many seem to have forgotten that a small child is missing - and that their parents are going mad already with worry - why add to their pain? Has everyone forgotten how to put themselves in the shoes of others?

Please, wait until the facts are known before passing judgement on others - do not add to their already unbearable pain.

june malone, orpington, kent

India Knight really does talk a lot of sense and I totally agree with her. It has been unbelievable reading all the stuff in the newspapers linking the McCanns to Madeleine's disappearance, I've lost count of the number of times I've exclaimed out loud in frustration and outrage. How anyone could think for a second that they are anything other than devastated parents trying to stay sane and get her back is beyond belief. Looking at pictures of the policemen in charge of the case does not inspire confindence but rather than admit that they haven't got a clue who took her and where she went they point the finger at her parents. If such a miscarriage of justice could happen to the McCanns it could happen to any of us. Sympathy and support is what they need, not this.

Joyce Murray, Bagshot, UK

How disgraceful of those people to condemn Mr & Mrs McCann, as they have done so.
Most of them are just cowards, who wouldn't say boo to a goose if asked face to face.
When it means tapping out what you want on a faceless machine it is all too easy to hide.
Have your views, but keep them balanced, and stop the wholesale ignorance.

Eileen Adams, Sheerness, Kent

I agree with every word in your article yesterday (sept 16th) .
I speak also for my daughter who has two young children and isnt on the internet at the moment, but asked me to include her in my statement.

I have never responded to a poll on anything, but feel so strongly about how this family are being hounded, felt I had to add my voice to those who believe them to be totally innocent.
God forbid that anyone else is put in the McCanns situation, but how on earth does anyone know how someone else would react in their current ghastly nightmare. As someone else has said of the people professing their guilt - ' Shame on them'

margaret parris, swansea, uk

Thank you for writing such a considered piece about the McCanns plight in yesterday’s paper. It was a relief to read something that offered both common sense and compassion in equal measure. With no confirmed evidence or hard fact it is shocking and disappointing that people are choosing to believe the unending speculation generated by the Portugese media. It is clear that a smear campaign against the McCanns has been underway for some time. That this can be linked all the way up to one of the detectives leading the investigation, Goncalo Amaral, should be of concern to everyone. This detective has been charged with criminal activity during the investigation into another missing girl, Joana Cipriano,, (7 miles from where Madeleine was taken).
It is also very depressing to think that there are 17,000 people willing to have Sean and Amelie McCann taken away from the parents and home they love. How anyone can consider they would be better off in care is a dreadful misjudgement.

Lisa, Manchester,

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" said Jesus Christ to the rabble who were about to stone an aldulterous woman to death. Yes, the McCanns made a mistake, but they have to live with that guilt, in addition to the anguish of not knowing whether to continue their search or grieve. For them to now be under suspicion would be enough to send most people insane. I admire their courage and dignity.
Their case reminds me of the "Dingo" baby case in Australia. Gerry McCann has a harsh scottish accent which is not very media friendly and their inability to weep in public (unlike many reality TV stars who weep at the slightest provacation) has caused the public and some quarters of the press to be unsympathetic. Everyone has different coping strategies and the McCann's is to believe their daughter is still alive.
I do hope these mad accusations to not lead to another miscarraige of justice like those of Sally Clark, Truptie Patel and Angela Canning.

Alexandra Jane Bath, Weston super Mare,

I believe that the McCanns are innocent and incapable of harming their daughter. Yes, they made a mistake by leaving their children alone, but I'm sure their party of medical colleagues left their children too, and they will regret doing this for the rest of their lives. The public are so quick to judge and can be very cruel. I believe the McCanns have acted with dignity and my heart goes out to them.

Ann, Manchester, England

Thank heavens for a logical mind in this media trial of the mc canns.
It is sickening to seehow masses of people are so easily moulded by the opinions of just a few "rag" writers.
They should be ashamed to call themselves journalists.
I hope the madeline is found soon and that the mc canns are delivered from this hell that is raining down on them.

william, St.Monans, u.k. / Fife

Thank God for your article. I thought I was going mad. Not only have this poor couple lost their daughter but they now have to suffer speculation that they are to blame. Those people who have critisized and vilified the McCann's should be ashamed and when they are found to be innocent, as they will, I hope that the people who condemned them will reflect on their hatred.

Chris Evans, London, UK

The MCann's response to the tragic loss of Madeleine in not allowing her to be taken quietly but appealing relentlessly for help through the world's media may not have brought about her return but there may be children alive and well and living with their families who may have suffered a similiar fate had the McCann's not made us all care a little more for the well being of children within our communities and be more vigilent.
For the past 5 months anyone with a mind to abducting a child would most likely choose to lie low. The McCann's actions have probably made the world a little safer for our children.

I wish them justice, truth and peace.

Mandy, Ryde,

the unfortunate aspect of all this for the Mccanns is that they have courted, even gone looking for media attention. In my view this is absolutely understandable and their intentions are honourable. but for a lot of people life is much easier when viewed in black and white, rather than a more realistic shade of grey. by this I mean that the prevailing feeling is that if you dance with the devil, then you leave yourself open to judgement. I can think of nothing crueller than condemning this poor couple in their current situation, but many people in this nation of ours are only happy when passing judgement on others from the safety of their armchairs.
that's the x-factor / big brother mentality for you.

stephen johnson, hadfield, UK

Thank you for your compassionate comments. I suspect those who condemn the McCanns are coping, unsuccessfully, with their own sense of horror over the disappearance of Madeleine.
My heart goes out to Gerry and Kate McCann. As the mother of a four year old daughter, I cannot fathom their inconsolable grief.

Diane St. John, Hay River, Canada

As an Irish Granny and with a family of five, including twins, I am appalled at the huge backlash the unfortunate Mc Canns are suffering. Thank you, India Knight ,for the article in to-day's News Review...compassionate, balanced and fair.
Innocent until proven guilty is what we all go by in a just world and these parents are not even being allowed to grieve. There can be nothing worse, and no more painful a trial, than the loss of an innocnet young child. We were all affected by the winsome, cute Madeleine as her picture filled our screens and newspapers. The realisation that it could happen to any family, drew us into the whole tragedy.
Madeline's picture has been placed at a shrine in the porch of our local Catholic Church and I pray every morning for news of her. I pray, too, for her troubled parents and extended family and hope that they can remain strong and determined in the face of the latest publicity.
Keep up the good work.

Mary A. Ryan, Dublin, Ireland

I believe that the McCanns are totally innocent. How on earth could anyone on holiday in a strange country, manage to kill their child accidentally, plan to, and successfully hide the body without even the use of a car, and then recover their composure sufficiently to join their friends for a meal - all within the space of about 2 hours. That scenario is so far fetched as to be ludicrous.
I also think that the fact that there are 17,000 people prepared to go online and sign a petition to have their remaining children taken into care is an indication that there are a lot of seriously demented people out there. Shame on them!

Kevin, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

Add my loving support to Gerry and Kate McCann. Some people are thoughtless and brutal in what they say. These two unfortunate parents need all the support they can get.

How the heck are they keeping going. Have some compassion, people!

Jean Middleton, Bolton, UK

OK..Chances of this happening are so many million to one, and this is something I always try to look at while deciding what I feel is the possible outcome.
With a window of only 30 minutes if the events began the second the adult checking left the apartment, as it is said that she was checked every 30 minutes, we are led to believe some random person who was obviuosly out searching for what they found otherwise it wouldnever have took place....OK this person is prowling. The odds must be trillions to one that without being seen by anyone at all, on the night they went searching for a child on their first attempt they entered a property that was not only left unlocked for them, it was also adult free and to top off their incredible luck, what thyey were after was there for them to take. If this happened the abductor would probably thought this is a set up.
I can say the abuctor hit lucky with everything on go one otherwise reports of a stranger checking out these places would show

Michael Allen, South Shields, Tyne & Wear UK

The thing I find most obvious is that you do not leave any child un attended out of fear something may happen I can't even sit in my garden a sum 30ft away from my own house out of fear something could happen to them I have three children at the age of 25 all extremely hyperactive boys with learinng difficulties: so I understand that we all need a break but at no cost to our children besides a hol is a perfect break for the whole family! I hope for everyones sake that innocent little girl gets justice the evidence will speak for its self in time despite our thoughts and feelings.Those involved have to live with what they have done with the image of that poor little girl etched into their memory and the memory of everyone whose hearts have gone out for her and her brother and sister. I prey that she turns up safe and lives a happy and abundant life with her family but in todays time and as each day passes I grow ever more weiry for a happy ending. Im sitting back and wait for the truth!

sadie, cheshire, england

well I bloody well agree with all you have written.we can all sit in judgement and get on with our daily lives.how would you feel if you had to return to your house with your childs loving toys and clothes everywhere.I have never left a child for one second alone but one sees it all the time,outside shops in the car or petrolstation,not me .but I would not condem those that have either.Sometimes it is just some thing you do because you think your child is safe in the car or downstairs while you nip to the loo.Shame on you.The McCanns went on a family hoilday and thought they would come back as a family.

frances Treagus, Guildford Surrey, England

Well said. Sarah Hope-Walker London Uk

Sweetpea, Buckie, Scotland

bla bla bla.......hearsay, gossip......everyone is commenting on what is written in newspapers. Certain information for legal reasons, will not be made public. The police, DNA experts know their jobs..........wait !

peter, manchester, england

I just want to add my support to Gerry and Kate McCann and to say I have never for one minute thought you capable of harming your beautiful little girl, my heart goes out to you both at this the worst moment of your lives.
Emotions to one side it is surely logistically impossible to carry out the tasks that are being speculated on.
I will be thinking of you and praying that sense pervails in the end.

June Noble, Pontefract, West Yorkshire

The Portuguees police have been unfaily critised for their actions but only because us Brits are full of ourselves and cannot except others doing it their way.
The McCann's are now Suspects whether we like it or not.
People have rightly critised them as they did leave three children under the age of four unattended, out of sight and out of earshot in an unlocked apartment located beside a public road. Tell me would you go on holiday and leave your hotel/apartment door unlocked whether you were inside or out of the room/apartment? It doesn't take rocket science to work that one out. Please let people have their say without making their comments wrong. Not everyone has to agree with the McCann's and lets face it nobody apart from the Police holds any real facts. So for once the british press will have to sit back and wait.

sarah hope-walker, london, uk

None of us can define Mr. and Mrs. McCann. You do not define a person with your judgments; you only define yourself as someone with a need to be judgmental.

SUSAN WELBY-BENNETT, Burbank, California, USA

I cannot believe how quickly people are willing to condemn this poor couple. Yes they made a terrible mistake in leaving their children but now trying to portray them as murderers!!! It's ridiculous!! I hope that these people who are baying for the McCann's blood will feel some shame if Madeliene is found. There are too many discrepancies for them to be guilty - even I, with no background in criminology can see that.
My thoughts are continually with the McCann family. I do hope with all my heart that you are reunited with your little girl very soon.

Sharon, Perth, Scotland

This smacks of the Linda Chamberlain case in Australia when the family were camping and their baby was taken from the tent - by dingoes. Linda was accused and convicted of the baby's murder. She served 4 years in jail before evidence exonnerating her was discovered. i.e. half eaten clothing belonging to the baby found in a dingo lair.

barbara McInnis, Lancaster, UK

I sincerely pray and hope for all of the McCann family in their pain, which now, seem incomprehensively inhumane to endure. I am a grandmother of a beautiful young girl of 5, and this story brings home my own fears of the world outside of our doors, and being prudently wary of strangers. I live in a suburb of one of the largest cities in the U.S., and child abduction and predators are a very real threat and occur more often than one would like to think. May the McCanns have some peace with their faith in the Lord and his comforting love.

Suzanne, Dallsa, Texas USA

Gerry and Kate, We are 100% with you. What a terrible time you are having. I really hope this can be behind you both with the safe return of Madeline. Our thoughts will always be with you and your family

Ian Wilson, Perth, Australia

As abhorrent as it seems for the Mc Canns to be guilty; the unfortunate reality is that there have been numerous cases of child abuse/neglect and murder, where unfortunately the guilty party is indeed one parent, or both.

The McCanns did have the time to cause the death of their daughter and they have had ample time and opportunity to dispose of her body.

How many people would own up, particularly when in a foreign country?

The Portugese really should have questioned them both much more intensely at the beginning of the case; likewise should they really have been allowed to leave the country.

I. do not agree that Kate Mc Cann looks wretched or depressed. I can't believe that if my child was 'lost' that I would be able to even bother putting earrings in, let alone changing them, or wearing make up. I think I would find it hard even to change my outfits/necklaces etc.

This may sound harsh, but the possiblity of the parents being guilty has to be thoroughly explored.

Frances, Oxford, Oxon, England

Shame on you for referring to "A hundred children go missing in Britain every year", without having the decency of rsearching further information rather than using as a throw away comment. - do you even know where to go to get further information on the missing children in the UK ?

There is enough media coverage in the UK regarding Madeleine, use you time to keep the 100's of other parents who need media help, or are we just concerned about the parents who are doctors etc ?

McArdle, Belfast, N. Ireland

We snatched quiet meals on holiday whilst our children slept, just like these parents. We didn't feel guilty about it then, nor do we now 30 years later. Perhaps they were gentler times, certainly less fear of paedophiles, nevertheless it may not have been as safe as we thought. But we needed a little time to ourselves after a long day entertaining the little ones, and no doubt other parents feel the same today. Don't condemn the McCanns for what they did, they have punished themselves enough. An excellent article India.

Jenny, East Sussex,

Words escape me.

Support to the McCanns and hoping Maddy is found safe x

Kaye, Manchester , UK

Dear God

What next will this poor family have to put up with. I have a young daughter about similar age to madeline and i can only just about imagine what it must be like for the mccann family. I can only say that i pray every night that their little girl will be returned to them safe and well and that the family will once again be reunited.

People everywhere are quick to point the suspicious finger. I hope the family get the inner strength to comfort them during this very difficult time.

Someone out there is bound to know where that little girl is and what has become of her. If they have any heart and soul or any depth of compassion they will return that beautiful child to her parents.

Just one last thing, i would like to send my support to the whole mccann family and let them know that not every person on this planet thinks they were involved with madeline disappearing.

God be will you all.
marian, ballymena. northern ireland

marian, ballymena, northern ireland

i hope to GOD that they will Find Madeleine soon.
big wishes from kosova

nora, KOSOVA, EUROPE

So the Portuguese police are inept.
What about the enormous and unexplicable delay of the lab results. Nodody says anything about this.
Why the MacCanns doen´t feel this stange?
I can imagine what the uk news would say ,if this happen in a portuguese lab.

Maria, Lisbon, Portugal

I am Brazilian and, as other people from poor country, and moved for compassion, I made a donation. to the fund .Now that I realize that the money is being used to pay lawyers and not to looking for Madeleine I would like to receive the money back.Do you know to say me if it is possible? I cant get to contact the fund anymore.

Clara, Sao Paulo, Brazil

IT WAS ONLY A ONCE OFF THING THAT HAPPENED NOW IN PORTUGAL. NEVER BEFORE HAVE YOU EVEN HEARD OF STUFF LIKE THIS IN THE NEWS HAPPENING IN PORTUGAL. I TRUELY HOPE SHE IS SAFE AND THAT WHEN SHE IS FOUND THAT THE PORTUGESE PEOPLE GIVE HER A GREAT BIG HUG FROM ALL OF US HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA. I REALLY DO HOPE YOU THAT YOU PORTUGESE PEOPLE TREAT THEM WELL AS IF THEY ARE ONE OF YOU GUYS. I THINK YOU ARE A PRETTY NATION.
GOD SPEED MADELEINE HOME. ! XXXX! 4 KISSES FOR THE WORLD`S NUMBER 1 (one) 4 YEAR OLD.

Amanda, BOKSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

it is very very simpathetic blaming portuguese police...so why do englsih police have so much cases os missing children unsolved?? look at yourselves and let the police cope with this case and with this familiy. Hope so much they find this little girl. GOD bless her

sonia, lisboa, portugal

The portuguese police made some terrible mistakes from the start, not sealing off the appartment, not allowing the british to bring in the sniffer dogs and lets not forget the 12 hour delay before alerting the boarders and even once they did this the officers would not get out of their vehicles because it was raining!! the british police would not have made these mistakes as they are standard procedures. They are now clasping at straws with the traces of blood found, it still doesnt prove that if it belongs to Maddie that she has died. We are waiting to hear news that should have been investigated in the very early days. Maybe Portugal isnt used to investigating this type of crime but i think that they shouldve admitted that and allowed the british police to help from the start.

Eduardo, London,

sorry my inglish since i dont right a long time. I am a potuguese boy living in portugal and i dont realy think, like most portuguese, that te MC did any harm to madeline, since we dont realy belive in scandal reports like inglish tabloids, we have soo litlle journals like that. But unfortunaly it only takes one to turn our beautiful country in a disgusting one. Unlike most of the inglish families most portuguese parents find taking holidays and trips we theire children the happiest moments in they`re lives. All of my friends, even those who have familie problems , were`nt left in day cares or playgrounds alone or whith somebody . we always have dinner together lunch, evrything. They`re children dont go to bordingschools, since we belive only stupid people go there (pay for notes). And more - grandfathers usualy live with us . I realy think that the real issue is cultural. My mother never left me in a daycare on hollidays, ~since her gratest pleasure was beeing with all her children.

pedro , coimbra, portugal

Is all this sympathy for the McCann's because they are doctors.
Had this tragedy happened to a couple of office workers, shop assistant, factory worker or cleaner, the police and social services
would have arrived in Portugal by the plane load.

J M MacLeod, Carlisle, England

I agree with India Knight's article somewhat, but I feel that she too is judgemental towards the Portuguese Police, maybe it's because the crime was committed in Portugal, but had the crime been committed in England would the British Police have been any less inept. Why then are some many cases of missing children in England not solved?
At least the Portuguese Police did not lie or altered records to hide their ineptnesss as was the case with De Menezes tragedy.

Fernando Figueiredo, Worcester, UK

Unbelievably smug and arrogant, this is my opinion of those that think it is okay to kick a family when they are at the lowest point in their entire lives.

Leave the McCanns alone.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Kate and Gerry if you read this please rest assured that the vast majority of people are with you and will remain with you until that happy day when little Maddie is returned home to you.

We have not forgotten her or you and you reamin uppermost in our thoughts and prayers.

To all those that can find it in their hearts to be so nasty with their viciously cruel comments:

Try to imagine walking a mile in the McCanns shoes.

Elaine Dower, Dunstable, UK

Defending their decision to leave three children alone abroad is outrageous. A lot of public sympathy is stemming from the fact that they are Doctors, and putting them on a pedastal. Yes, an element of sympathy is there but I grew up with an older brother with severe learning difficulties and as a younger sister of 7 years, at the age of 10 I wouldnt of left my brother alone in his bed. How can a 10 year old child have such sense but two Doctors felt it safe. If the child has been murdered then blood is on the parents hands as nobody else had care of those children and nobody else was responsible for their well being. The arrogance to defend their decision is sickening. If I had made such a mistake to cause my child to disappear I would not know how to live with myself let alone battle against critisism. We are accountable for our actions and all those defending these parents ask yourself this: If they had taken your 3 children away and this happened would you forgive.

amy, shrewsbury, shropshire

Do the parents realise that on their trip to Rome they were face to face with the leader of an organisation that is possibly the largest employer of paedophiles on this planet?

John Bateman, Birmingham,

Anyone who "condemned" the McCanns is cruel. There is a terrible price for their mistake. Nothing should be added to their suffering.

Looking after 3 tiny children is utterly exhausting. You live on too little sleep, causing poor decisions. It is amazing parents of multiple small children don't make more mistakes than they do. The McCann mistake was very human.

Their 3 little children were all alone for periods of up to an hour, a long distance away. The risk was not only an intruder ( clearly it was not difficult for someone to get in) but about waking up and panicking alone, or wandering out of bed and getting into trouble with fire, chemicals etc.

It needs to be stated publicly to all parents this WAS a mistake so other kids are not at risk of waking in panic, getting into trouble, or vulnerable to an intruder.
Under 12s should not be alone for more than 5-10 mins. with a parent within hearing even for that long.

Shan Morgain, Newport, Wales UK

sinced madelaine has been taken I've gotten married, been on my honeymood and just discovered I'm pregnant, through all of this happiness she has never really left my mind, I know this kind of thing happens to children all over the world but I just can't forget about her, I still have a lot of hope that she will be found, when I do pray it is for her and her family

Lisa, Wexford, Ireland

Mr & Mrs McCann, I marvel at your bravery and your actions, I doubt I would have had your courage. You and your family are in my prayers each day and I hope beyond hope that the precious gift of your daughter Madelaine is soon restored to you. In the meantime draw strength from the millions of people around the world who daily are willing you to succeed in your quest to see your little girl laugh with you once more.
Go in peace and love
Judith Cashmore-James

Judith Cashmore-James, Stafford, England

This story, sad as it is has my attention. I feel so much for the McCann family. I really hope and pray that they do find Madeleine and that she is returned safe and sound. What possess someone to snatch a child like that? I will never understand that. Please if you do have her, return her to her family. Now. You must do this.
She is scared, lonely and wants a cuddle from her parents.
Gerry and Kate, continue to be strong xx

Jo, south shields, UK

These parents need support. Like any parent in the same position. I don't agree with every decision that they have made, but who am I to judge. I am not in their shoes. I can offer them all of my hopes and prayers for the prompt and safe return of their precious daughter.
May she come home as soon as possible.

Jenna , Seattle , United States

Here in South Africa, children go missing so often that it frequently does not make the news. Paedophiles and rapists abound, and the average SA parent is either over protective or sorry. But that doesn’t make it right – no child should EVER be hurt. We need people like the McCanns to raise the profile, to shout out that this is unacceptable, to remind us that it should NEVER happen. Because many parents don’t have the wherewithal or the education or whatever else is necessary to be able to put their missing children into high profile. And the McCann’s work is doing just that for every little person who has suffered a similar fate. They are sending the public back out of the state of passive acceptance, and for that (and everything else they’re doing) I stand up and applaud them. Until each and every one of us can face the things that make us uncomfortable, our society will never be the best it can be - point the finger at the real culprits - the paedophiles.

Adrienne, Midrand, SA

Get on the Sky Message board - it's truly amazing how comfortable people feel about speculating about the most intimate detail of the McCanns - I'll refrain from talking about it. It makes me cringe and want to apologise for being human - if this is what we boil down to.

I guess reality TV has made it acceptable to get into peoples lives - gossip magazines trying to satisfy the strange desires of the masses to know about the personal lives of celebrities.

We have no respect for each other any more. We feel it our right to invade the privacy of others - this is wrong. Support - rally round, empathise, campaign, help - words that no longer figure in many lives - me, me, me is all we hear now and 'not in my back garden'.

Karen T, Hereford, UK

Give Gerry and Kate McCann a break, thier 4 year old daughter has been taken away from them and they don't know what kind of person has her!
They're going through a bad time but the good thing is they haven't given up on hope.
I am hoping that they find Madeleine safe and sound and wish Gerry and Kate McCann all the best for the future.
Whoever has her PLEASE come forward and give her back to her Mummy and Daddy...no strings attached.
All Madeleine wants is to be back home where she belongs! :o)

Eden, Croydon, England

Wow - how about laying off the people who think leaving three babies alone, in an unlocked foreign apartment, for up to 50mins at a time, whilst you go out to have some fun, is an absolute disgrace. If this was a single-mother from a rough council estate, she would have had her other two kiddies in care by now. My only concern at this time is for the only victim in this, little Maddie, and I hope with every bit of my being that she will be found safe and sound and if that takes even more publicity then that is fine by me.

J Gilmour, Glasgow,

I totally agree.
As a Mom myself I would move heaven and earth and do what I had to keep the attention on my child. I feel for them. What they must be going through is unbearable. I wish that whoever had her would do the right thing and give her up please.

Anna, Birmingham, UK

How can they ever give up on their child and not do everything possible as long as they are able to try and get her back.
The parents that are complaining should be thankful they still have their children and use it as a reason to explain to their own children about the dangers of evil people in this world who would wish to do them harm.

Hazel Dennis, Rossendale, England

Dear India, I am (albeit ,extraordinarily late) responding to your fab article re the abduction of Madeleine. I only fell across this page because I was so upset by the reading the messages of support that people were complaining about the ad re: Maddy prior to the Shrek film, via netmums. I do hope, 61 days on, that you are still in favour of as much publicity as possible will be the only way we can get Maddy back. I have heard of you and would like to hear more. I will start buying the Sunday Times again (we stopped because it's so big that all it was used for was me (Kate) ripping out any new recipes or yummy wines to try, my husband (David) grabbing the sports and business pages and my four year old (two at the time) the Funday Times was too old for her, the rest to be used as puppy pee soakers or, clearly, recycling.)) I would love to hear back, Kate Evans - you sound like my kind of gal!!!!

Kate Evans, Leighton Buzzard,

Thankyou India Knight for putting perspective on a tragic story. I have been so sick of the judgemental views. Yes there are other children that have gone missing but that doesn’t mean that this is any less important. Every case is awful, tragic & painful. Some might say, where are all those other mothers & Fathers? Why are they not shouting from the roof tops? It’s probably because they are dealing,grieving in their own way, as the McCann’s are. Just because they are pictured in church doesn't mean this story has become about religion. I would like to meet the ignorant selfish fool who said that! These people are using the media as it should be used to get all the support they can. I just hope that the rest of the world realises this and doesn’t judge anymore. The sensationalism isn't from the McCanns it's from the news editors. The McCann’s are just using it in the best way they can to try and get their daughter back. We should all be standing by the McCanns, with defiant hope.

Nicky, Southampton,

Well done India. Your article summarised very well the need for all of us to show compassion and not to be judgemental in the face of such suffering. If most parents were honest the response might be more "There but for the Grace of God."
As for the cinema adverts now causing offence, children can be told sad things in a way that does not frighten them but helps them to begin to understand that some aspects of life need to be approached carefully. What else do some fairy stories do? I haven't seen Shrek 3 but I am sure that there will be moments in the film which some children may find scary not least of all the fact that the main character isn't exactly anyone's idea of Prince Charming.
Some reactions do smack of an unfortuante "I'm alright Jack,"/ NIMBY culture not the let's stick together and sort this out/resilient culture for which we Brits are famous.

Catherine Dunipace, Glasgow, Scotland

Did someone actually say the meeting with the Pope was making it about "faith and religion"! That individual must be from the saddest little gene pool on the Planet. Thank you for your article, which surely represents the majority of compassionate and educated persons.

Jenny, British Columbia, Canada

How can anyone think of anything apart from madeleine,Things happen good and bad but no one should have to go through what this family is going through.poor little Maddie she must be so affraid.I went to Cala Honda in spain last week and put up 120 posters of maddie,if everyone does this surely she will be found.People cannot forget another missing child .

Amanda Engleby, west sussex,

excellent article and beautiful and compassionate responses (thank God)....i say more media coverage,more funding more pictures of madaleine on every magazaine,newspaper, announce it every day to the world the plight of this child and her parents, and in the process honouring and remembering the thousands and millions of children missing internationally...let our angel maddie be a catalyst for change in our society...lets never forget her ...and by not forgetting her we shall not forget who we are.....compassionate beings who's purpose it to help and heal...not critisice and judge(what a waste of energy)....step outside the box of our percieved imperfections and put yourself in this families shoes............

julie , ferrybank,waterford, ireland

Thank you, India. If it were my child, her face would be plastered across every television screen in the world, critics be damned. And with the speculation that her abduction may be linked to an international pedophile organization, you would think people would be eager for *any* publicity that will lead to this ring being exposed and shut down, regardless of their opinions on the parents.

Compassion-fatigue? That's caused by hearing about bad things you can't do anything about. The cure? Volunteer.

Misty, Lawrence, KS, USA

I just want this McCann nightmare to have a happy ending tomorrow. Tomorrow would be good.

caro, HKG,

Right on, India.

Richard, Sunnyvale, California

Thank you for defending Gerry and Kate
They have done nothing wrong and are if anything more assiduous parents than most.
They will never be the same again and those who criticise lack any understanding or compassion.

fiona mcgarry, glasgow,

Dears, we are thinking of you and your little girl every day, our prayers are with you.

mom of boys, brussels, belgium

Their grief must be enormous, the anxiety must be gut wrenching, the not knowing must really do their heads in.
A lesson learnt in the cruelest way.
I will never know how they feel. Nor do I want to.

Miranda , NSW,

I applaud you india, you have said everything I and am sure countless others feel, I get so annoyed with people saying how tired they are of hearring about Little Madeleine,as you so rightly say and elequantly put the people that is irritates can get on with thier lives,Madeleines family cannot.
I will still everyday with my family keep hope alive and keep Madeleines photo on my desk at work, I am on a front of house position (no-one has complained) and hopefully it will continue to keep people aware of all innocent children everywhere that are in potential danger and how vigilant we must remain.
Well Done india.!

Elaine, Berkshire,

Thank you. You have summed up my feelings on this issue. I have been sick to my stomach reading "peoples" comments on the web accusing the parents of living of the celebrity status, or suggesting they were behind it.

Very sad, none human and aggressive behavior towards people who require and deserve compassion.

Yes they made a terrible mistake. But they are trapped in their suffering and self-blame, doubt and bereavement.

If you have no support to offer. Don't stand on the sidelines throwing rocks. Simply say nothing because you have nothing to add.

So again thank you. I was starting to think human beings had not evolved at all.

And I hope this little child, like others are found.

My hopes and payers are with her family.

Considering their hard work, efforts, support and resources: if they can't find her, what hope do any of us have if it happened to one of our own?

Sean Ryan, Slieverue, Ireland

The missing children is a frightening issue.
My prayers daily for Madeline and all children missing.

And please God, protect the safety of my children.

I know there are others not receiving this publicity and it isn't fair. Perhaps a public fund should be set up for the prevention of child abduction, and the rescue of all and any missing children.

This family has the means, would we deny them making every effort? Where is the compassion of these people who think up these things?
These complaints? Let them make a donation to the new fund that will be set up. Let them get it started and correct the wrong. And in the meantime let Madeline come home safely.

Darla Lehman, Everett, WA

I thought that was a very well-thought out and reasoned article. It is a reflection on the society that we now live in, that as the days/months go on, media interest in Madeleine McCann will slowly disappear to nothing. From headline, to page 6, to briefs. There may be no dramatic rescue/find, so the press will lose interest. And editors need to sell papers so that's what they will continue to do, no matter what the final outcome is on this "story".
But regarding the McCann's use of the media, I cannot understand how anyone can criticise her obviously distraught parents for using the international media. The portugese police seem to have mishandled the case from day 1, so who can blame them for turning to other options like the press? They need to keep their daughter in the news, to make people like you or me sit up and take notice. It may not work, you may get bored, but as a parent, you must try everything.

Morag, Glasgow,

Thank you Idia Knight,
This was a lovely well written article. I t is always so sad to read these stories, It's not that we want to whole wolrd to stop what they are doing, and pay attention, but why is it so difficult to just care a little?
For me this is hald way across the Globe from my home in Massachusetts, but I still am concerned for the childs out come.
I certainly hope she is discovered some where, alive and well, and does not turn up deceased.
I thank you again for a lovely article and good luck, and morale support for Madeleine, and the entire McCann, family.
Goodness is it so difficult to care, just a tiny bit?
I hope not.

Lydia, Franklin,, MA

WELL DONE- you hit the nail on the head. Let the McCanns continue their search and continue to dominate the news I say- I would if it was my child. It seems it's only begrudgery that drives others to condemn them. Yes, there are millions of other children missing, and perhaps Madeline's story will serve to highlight the plight of abducted children worldwide and the evil that pervades our society. Is that a bad thing? I think not.
Here's hoping for the safe return of this little girl.

Louise , cork, ireland

I leave judgement to God...He's pretty good at it.

thomas, london, UK

I say yes, and yes again to showing compassion to Maddy's parents at this unspeakable time of sadness and sorrow that they are going through. Let's all send the light of love and hope to them and not the anger of opinionated judgement.
Jennifer, South Wales.

Jennifer , Pontypridd, South Wales

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It is time we stopped rabbiting on about what they should or what they should not have done. This is the situation now - end of story. For Gods sake give them a little peace - and as I always say in a situation like this is: Ye who is without sin - cast the first stone. And, no I am not religious at all, only trying to show you people that you can be so judgemental it is not real.

What is wrong with humans for heavens sake?
You all make me sick because this has obviously never happened to you

wwendy lister, glenrothes,

It is only the fault of the pervert that may have wanted to order a child to hurt and kill. Not the parent who loved the child and did not envision a sicko to hurt their loved one.

philly, tracy,, CA

My heart goes out to the family of the McCann's but I believe people's perceptions are based on their experiences. I have a 2 year old and left her sleeping in the car with my 10 yr old sister while I collected my other sibling from the school gates. On my return to the car I was conftonted by a stern police officer who promptly told me that I will be cautioned for leaving 2 minors unattended though it was merely 6 minutes. I guess I just fit the stereotype of a black, single unfit mother.

Michelle, London,

The criticism of the Madeleine's parents is vile. Those poor buggers are going through hell and should be able to do whatever they damn well please to get through this.

People should stop writing about them and perhaps focus on the true victim of this tragedy - little Madeleine. Her pain is much worse than her parents; I truly hope they find her alive.

Alan, Glasgow,

Two wrongs don't make a right?- How insightful India-(sarcastically)- Well than maybe that says something. Maybe this Madeleine "melodrama," as Aaronvitch called it,- is an unfortunate lesson (and a late one at that) to get people to care about those other 100 missing children..

Natalie, Waconia, MInnesota, U.S

My heart goes out to the family of Madeleine McCann. I pray that God will give them strength and courage through this very, very difficult time and I pray that they will find her safe somewhere. Keep strong in your faith and God will help you through it no matter what happens. God's Blessing to you all.

Lori Hammell, Branford, CT USA

If the mcCanns had even the remotest inkling that one of their children would be abducted, they would never have left them for one second. That is an indisputable fact, although for arguments sake this cannot be verified, to dispute this would mean that the McCanns were willing to risk a child being abducted. As for the many people who sit in cold condemnation of their actions, I truely pity them and sincerely hope that they look inside themselves and feel great remorse at their callous, narrow-minded comments. I have spoken to people who hold the same views and fortunately many have had the humility to change them, and admit they were too swift to condemn. God bless the McCann family.

Teresa, Preston, England

Thanks for saying what I felt since I heard of the monstrous campaign. The cruelty of such a campaign is beyond belief - the signatories should be ashamed of themselves.

MW, Grahamstown,

At last, an article which is completely on the mark. I too cannot understand how people can sit in judgement, knowing the hell the parents must be going through. They will feel the guilt, warranted or not, for the rest of their lives, we don't need to add to it!!

Heather, Johannesburg, South Africa

Thank you for this article. When it comes to judging McCanns (or any other parent) I feel like it's a false comfort for those who judge: if I never do what they did this can never happen to my child. It's a false reassuring. I personally couldn't care less if this 'excessive' (as some said) coverage is uncomfortable or boring to anyone... as long as there is a smidgeon of hope for Madelaine or any other child missing. That's the good thing about globalized media. I still hope she will be found and returned home. Fool's hope? Maybe...but hope nevertheless.

Marta, Prague,

I, for one have been following this story everyday! Looking and hoping that good news has come to the Mccanns at last. I pray the Lord give them strength to make it another day. I pray that Little Madeleine will be coming home soon everyday. I cannot sit and judge and I DO NOT want to find out first hand what it feels like to lose a child. That is one feeling... I would rather live without. I am very proud of the Mccanns for their strength and faith. Madeleine is not just their child any more, she is the worlds child now and we all miss her and want her to come home. Maybe this will bring awareness to the other missing children in the world. Maybe, just maybe some how, something good will come of this. God bless the Mccann family and God bless Lil' Madeleine. You have been an inspiration to us all!

candy, tulare, california, united states

Right on India.
Rose Northcott, New Zealand

Rosemary Northcott, Paekakariki, New Zealand

I was surprised to read in your piece the other Sunday that roughly half the people who wrote to you were not enamoured with the McCanns – surprised, that is, that it was not nearer 100%. That was my experience then and it is even more so now. Much of the fault does, of course, lie with the media with its incessant and overblown coverage but both sides are guilty of what has long since become a feeding frenzy. I see that there are now even suggestions of a ‘Madeleine day’. I reserve my harshest criticism, though, for the so-called ‘Madeleine Fund’, set up and controlled by the McCann family and friends, with the stated prime objective of providing financial support to the McCann family. It breaks my heart to hear of people contributing, when they can probably ill-afford it, on the mistaken belief that it is a charity and that it is aimed at helping to find missing children everywhere. I don’t think you mentioned any of that in your article.

Sam, Bath, UK

Not a view as such, just a plea. To whoever has Madeleine, please please, whatever has happened in your life to do such a thing. You can change the course of your life. Put her somewhere safe and call someone. Give her back. Remember, she is only 4 years old. Remember, when you were 4 years old? Whatever happened to you was probably wrong. It is not Maddie's fault. Put it right, give her back her life, security, love and family. She does not deserve this. It will give so many people hope if you do this.

A Smyth, Grand Cayman , Cayman Islands

On an On go those that think they know what the McCanns should have or not done before during and after the devastating abduction of their beautiful little girl. The heartless say too much coverage - would they just go back to normal life if she had been their little girl? - majority of those people probably do not have children. They seem to think those of us that keep on praying, hoping and talking about Madeleine are some form of emotional groupies, we do have full lives of our own, but we that do have children, and whatever age, will know that nothing would stop us trying to get our child back and given the means would leave no stone unturned either. The McCanns are also helping to promote the plight of abducted and missing children past present and future.

No I would not have left my children unattended in such a manner, but neither would I have expected anyone to sneak into a bedroom and steal an innocent sleeping child
whether a private or holiday home. How dare they!

vee dee, Redruth, Cornwall

I cannot believe for one minute that the McGanns do any of this with pleasure. Look at their faces, listen to the wearied pleas. I am sure they would just dearly love to go back to a pleasant life in Leicestershire. They can never do this without feeling sure that they have left no stone unturned. The media is a powerful force and they are wise to use it but they use it out of desperation. However 'famous' Madeleine may have become, better that they find her. This is the only way they can move forward. Their whole family's life has been rocked and they, as parents, will probably never be truly happy again if she is not found. Whoever criticises them for trying to find her in whatever way seems likely, for all their sakes, should show a bit of compassion.

Helena, Wells, Somerset

My heart goes out to the McCann's. I can not begin to imagine what they are going through. I shutter to think if someone took my precious cherished 21/2 year daughter.

I pray for this nightmare to end for them and Maddy will be found alive soon.

Thank God that they had the contacts to assist them in get the message out to the world.

Here in the Cayman Islands pictures of Maddy are on display at the airport.

Keep praying for the McCannn's it could have been our child gone missing.

Lisa, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

LISA, GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS

i think what the McCanns have failed to realise that if they do find their child then what sort of life will she have? i'm fairly certain she is now the most famous 4 year old in the world. The parents turning this into a massive media frenzy has given no leads to to the case at all, all it hass achieved is ensuring that the child can never have a normal life now, at her age she is not totally aware of what is happening, yet the rest of the world know more about her than knows her self, god help her

Mark, London,

This is every parents nightmare - we have ALL at times turned our backs on our children or let them out of our sight for a second, so there but for the grace of God go all of us. My heart bleeds for the McGanns as it did for the Lamplugh family when their daughter went missing. Not having closure is the worst sort of living hell for anyone. I hope that she will be found and can barely imagine what has happened to her or what sort of evil people can justify taking someone's child. It is a sad indicement of the world in which we now live.

Roz Kadir, Kingston, Surrey

I am not a voyeur, I follow this story because I can see the
despair on Mrs McCann's face, I am trying to understand
the pain she must be feeling.
To me Madeleine represents all missing children,
and the plight of their parents.

JMckay, Wellington, New Zealand

Brilliant article, thankyou. I have been dispairing of some of the negative comments about the McCanns. This is the most sensible and human viewpoint I have heard to date, along with the previous comments.

Elizabeth, Taunton, Somerset

If you think the media are struggling to find new stuff to report on this case, you should see: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1901458.ece

(I especially like the comments on that page.)

Andrew, Peterborough, UK

please, the mc canns have lost their beautiful precious daughter. the photographs of madeleine are a testiment to how well cared for she was. we all expose our children to danger in many ways every day. are we all fully aware of the backgrounds of nanny's, childminders ,creche staff and school staff ? the issue is not about blaming the mc canns, blame the abductor and for that matter what about the authorities and our governments. we need proper ligislation and intelligence operations to track down those who abduct children. billions are being spent on finding terrorists in caves in afghanistan ! surely some of that money could be deployed on finding not just madeleine but all of the other missing children in the world. we as citizens need to be vigilant also and do our bit to stamp out abduction. we should have zero tolerance for these despicable people. so spare a thought and a prayer for madeleine ,her parents and family each night, i do.

kathryn, cork, ireland

The McCanns search is a major watershed for all missing children and their families. Whatever the outcome, they are calling attention to the urgent need for a unified, rapid and sustained response throughout the EU when a child disappears. No one will forget this, including the very tight rings of paedophiles who operate in silence beneath the radar, watching. Great article.

Harriet G., Chevy Chase,

I really hope they find their baby.
I do quite agree that the parents were not asking for this to happen. It's a terrible tragedy I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. No parent should ever have to go through this. I myself have only lost sight of mine in the store for a few seconds. It made me sick enough.

There ARE pedophiles around every corner. You think you know people and find out they have secret lives. Keep an eye on your children. Someone you know could be a pedophile. I will never rest easy again. Someone I know turned out to be one. He seemed like such a nice person. He got along well with the children. My daughter spent the night with his daugter. So now I worry that he did something to her too. I haven't seen his collection of 10,000 pictures... she could be in them. His daughter will be in counseling for the rest of her life.
The boogeyman is real. Beware!

Stephanie, Richmond,

Let's have it right. If the parents in question were a plumber and cleaner on a cheap package holiday and had swanned off down to the local 'boozer' the press in this country would be baying for blood.
Only a few years ago, a woman left her twelve year old daughter in the care of a babysitter (who never showed up) she was consequently lambasted by the media and (I believe) jailed. Even though the child had come to no harm.
I do feel sorry for the parents of Madelaine, they will have to live with their stupidity for the rest of their lives, I do, however, reserve most of my sympathy for the child.
She'd have been better off with a single parent with nothing more to give her than time and love.
The double standards of the press in this country are stomach churning.

sarah, liverpool, Merseyside

My view is very simple. Anyone, given the intelligence, good advice and public goodwill, would want to do the same thing if they (God forbid - ooh there's that word again) were in the same situation. The McCann's willingnes to publicise other cases undoubtedly shows that, although they are focussed on their own child, the plight of the thousands of other missing children and adults is not below them.

Give them credit for raising the profle of all child abductions. Give them credit for recognising that they could contribute to the search and give them crdit for the strength that they have shown through this difficult time. Above all, give them prayers for Madeleine's safe return. We can all do our part. For those of us going abroad this year, keep an eye out for a 4 year old girl who has no idea where she is, no idea who she can trust and no idea when she will see her family again.

Don't be so quick to judge. Let those without sin cast the first stones. we all make mistakes.

Rob Carter, Droitwich Spa, England

The article by Linda Knight is excellent. I am appalled to even think that soem sit in judgement of the McCanns. I am a mother of 3 young children, one of them same age as Madelene and we haven't stopped praying for her safe Made's safety and reunification with her parents since we saw the news on Sky. I think what the McCanns are doing is great, and hope that society globally will do more to protect our children. Perhaps there are people who saw little Madelene on that night, but didn't bother to do a thing, to take a closer look, to raise an eyebrow; because sadly, the world today does not care enough about öther people's kids.

Janis, Johannesburg,

I strongly disagree that the Times and India Knight need to lay off this story. Any exposure to the McCanns horrible plight can only help. I for one from the other side of the pond, want to know every new piece of news in the hope that their little girl will soon be returned to them!! God bless!!!

Stephen Cimini, Berkshire County, U.S.A> Massachusetts

Yet another excellent article by India Knight !!!

I have been most disturbed to read other articles elsewhere that the McCanns 'got what they deserved' and 'it serves them right'.

One aspect that could have been added, is that many have stated that the middle-class McCanns would have been treated less favourably if they originated from a working class background. Another case of inverted snobbery.

Andy Heaton, Oswestry,

First class article. Thanks for your sanity, amongst the madness...

Steve, Geneva,

I am a parent, albeit of teenagers, but I know that if one of them went missing I would want to do exactly what the McCann family are doing, and what hundreds of parents the world over have to do, and that is everything in their power to find their child. If the media 'circus' has latched onto this one particular story, so be it. It can only serve to highlight the issue and the pain of all the others who haven't been 'fortunate' enough to have the media camped on their doorstep, and maybe one or two of the missing hundreds will see the pain of Kate McCann, and think of their own mothers, and go home.

Nick Broadbent, T,

We all needed to be put in check. I am without question one of those who think that this couple never should have left their defenseless children alone. However, as a parent of 2 girls (of the same age even,) I cannot imagine the agony they are going through. I feel compassion and empathy for them, and I hope very much that their baby is brought safely home to them. I think that the unimaginable situation the McCanns are dealing with will have opened the eyes of a lot of parents all over the world when it's all said and done, our most important reason for being on this earth once we create children is to protect them, keep them safe, love them. Learn from this.

Talia, Salcha, AK, USA

Well said India - really well honed article that says it all

Alison, London, UK

I totally agree with this article. The McCanns need support, not criticism. You just don't give up on your children when they are in trouble, you continue to fight for them in any way possible.
Perhaps the people leading the criticism will one day find themselves facing an appalling scenario like the McCanns. And should the general public ignore their plight?

S. Sweatman, Wokingham, England

Finally, a voice of compassion - Thank you for stating this so eloquently.

Pamela, Vermont, USA

As always ,India,you hit the naill on the head,your piece is as always well-judged,compassionate and brimming with common sense.

paula galvin, Leixlip, ireland

I do agree, and I am so glad you said it, and said it so well.

Andrew Chesher, Oxford,

All those criticising the parents should bare in mind that the place was locked and someone had to break in to get the girl - so don't say they weren't being responsible - they had been at least sensible enough not to leave the place totally accessible. The person breaking in to get Madeleine must have known what they were doing and been specifically after her rather than grabbing the nearest child. And remember the poor girl abducted from her bath whilst her mother was in the house - explain that one.All this junk about them deserving it is total garbage - so someone deserves to be raped or murdered just because they were dumb enough to step outside their house? Or to be burgled because they were so stupid as to have some posessions? Please. If you are sick and determined enough to take a child as calculatedly and callously as this nothing could have stopped it. The agony they are going thru nobody can know and I hope I'll never have to. Please let's fin this gorgeous little girl.

Kay, Yorkshire,

Well said. Thats all I need to say....

Beverley Hunter, London,

Fantastic article. Very, very true.

James, Virginia Water, Surrey

i've been waiting for an article like this after a slew of negative things said about this case in the media. valid points, rational and yet compassionate at the same time. very well done.

donna, tokyo, japan

What an excellent, balanced, human article. The McCanns are fighting for their daughter in the only way which seems available to them. And who can possibly say they should not?

Sally, Essex,

What a sick, sick society we now live in when parents are lambasted for doing everything within their power to find their lost daughter. At the moment they cannot think about any other missing child because the loss of their own daughter is to much to bear, and they are fighting, literally, for her life. Is it too much to ask that if you are bored with this story, you simply turn away from it and not pour more hurt and scorn onto these people whose lives are already unbearable. Shame on you Britain.

Martin, Watford, Hertfordshire

We pay for our own actions.
We earn, we are taxed. We speed, we are fined. We defer responsibility for our children, we risk losing them.
In my experience, probably broader than Knights,
doctors are the most self absorbed, and least attentive parents.

Steven, Sunderland,

Thank you India for putting across sensible, empathetic and considerate opinions. You have voiced my thoughts exactly.
After the horror of a small child being targetted and snatched whilst she slept, I'm am concerned and distressed that it's has brought out so much ugliness in people. This poor girl is dealing with possible horrors everyday and people are concerned about having to watch too much of her story on the on the news whilst they sit in the comfort of their armchair.
The portuguese police have put in many hours, but they seem to be continually on some wild goose chase - certainly not trying their best to find Madeleine. Some of their mistakes have been unacceptable and their logic is in many cases quite incredible.
I see many more comments on the negligence on the parents than on the act of the kidnapper of paedophiles. People ignoring or downplaying the part of the true evil in this sad story are making it easier for it to happen again.

Anna, Windsor, Berks

The Mccanns are doing everything they know how to publicise their missing daughter. How they can be criticised for that is beyond belief.
If people are not interested in Madeleins abduction, then don't read. I have no interest in the football results and have no problem avoiding them. Equally the possibility of the abductor giving the child back voluntarily is remote.
The Mccanns have harnessed the media, and many, many people around the world are backing them. (and reading the news stories too).

Maria, Colchester, UK

C'mon now, a big cheer for the German reporter who had the guts to ask the question that's on everyone's mind. Hip Hip ....

Jim, Devon, uk

India,well said ! I believe it is cruel to criticise the McCanns at this time or to generalise about their plight, there may be many other missing children but many of these are runaways, teens with a level of ability to look after themselves, child abduction by a stranger is very very rare, more rare than 1 in a million, little Madelene is only 4 years of age, i am not aware of any similar 'stranger abduction' in Europe since hers. Her parents are in agony, if a man was on fire would you remind him how stupid he was to be careless with matches ? If someone goes blind to you remind them they should have had regular checks through an optician ? When someone is drowning do you criticise them for forgetting their life jacket ? What exactly is the point of criticisiing the Mc Canns or congratulating ourselves on how we wouldn't have made their mistake ? What sort of a compassionless human being wants to worsen the nightmare for these good people who obviously love their children.

Nicola, Belfast,

Sorry, I don't agree with you, India.

The compassion that belongs to them is the compassion we all as a society should have for careless fools. Nothing more. Nothing less.

furbar, Smalltown, Canada

I suspect the Portuguese police have better things to do. Like look for the children who were kidnapped in the month since May 3rd and whose trails may not yet have gone cold. Not to mention the other crimes they have to investigate.

To some people, Madeleine is their only concern. But when we look at the cold hard facts, as a police case, it really doesn't warrant any extra resources. It's just another missing person out of thousands and therefore should be treated in the same manner as all the others.

The fact that the Portuguese police have not bowed to the pressure of money and celebrity ought to be commended. Someone's got to keep it real.

Ess Three, Bath, UK

I find it weird that they choose to go all over Europe at a time like this. What about their other kids? Surely most parents would want to be with them at a time like this, and in the area should some news come out about their missing child?

And as for the constant media attention making it more likely the kid will be found, well, to me, I can't help but think that it's more likely to freak out whoever has her and make it more likely that she will be/has been harmed. Cynical, but if the guy is cornered than what can he do? He's like Ian Huntley now - public opinion won't let him get off lightly even if she is returned safe and well.

Emma, Leamington Spa,

I agree wholeheartedly with this report. Those looking daily are obviously curious, so those same people cannot then say the campaign is out of hand. Perhaps they have not got the agony of a lost child. Every day, I see children who are not really being closely supervised - in parks, in shops, along the street. An abduction, carefully planned, takes a second or two. Does it really bug somethat they are still in the press? Look at some of the reports in the papers - trivia-d What else can this poor couple do? The dread of living the rest of their lives never knowing what happened must be the worst pain. Use the media, exploit it, do all we can to give Madeleine's parents an answer (and use money to help the plight of other missing youngsters). Surely a paper focusing on the likes of the jailing of Paris Hilton day after day, can also include this terrible situation day after day. Judging the content of papers gets us nowhere. As we enjoy our children, keep Madeleine's memory alive!

mrs l morgan, isleworth, uk

Agree with the more compassionate comments here. The McCanns are entitled to do anything and everything to find their daughter, and they should not be judged for it. I'm horrifed by the nasty, spiteful comments made about them. The criticism that they have been neglectful towards Maddie, and thus 'asking' for it, is such a dangerous one 'cause it shifts attention away from the only person who is truly responsible: the abductor. In the recent past, it was commonplace for parents to leave children alone for periods of time. Also, this idea that 100s of children have gone missing in the month since Maddie was taken is not wholly helpful. Yes, many children go missing but few of them are taken by strangers. Most missing children are runaways (teenagers) or are taken by family members, especially where there is a custody dispute between parents. Stranger abduction is the rarest and worst scenario, so it is right that we are concerned about it. I pray that Maddie is found safe and well.

LJ, London, UK

Well said!. The McCanns campaign has turned into a rollercoaster (whether they wanted that or not!), exploiting the situation to ensure that Madeline remains in the minds of as many people as possible is surely the only thing to do!. Keep campaigning, Keep looking............Keep praying!.

CJ, Manchester, UK

Thank you for speaking up for compassion. Rather than resent the McCanns, let this deepen our compassion for all missing children. I hope the McCanns know that many people do feel compassion for them and I hope other parents of missing children know people care deeply about those children also. The example the McCanns set -- deliberately focusing on the positive in a situation where lack of information must be one of the most agonising things and of deepening their faith -- is inspiring. I'll continue to light a candle and pray for all lost children and to wish peace on those who are grieving.

LS, London, UK

Well said! It is a shame that today being a whole month from when Madeleine was stolen FROM HER BED and the major news providors on TV couldn't spare five seconds showing her face in the attempt to jog someone's memory or conscience. there are plenty who are still thinking of this little girl and her family.

Louise Thomson, Guildford, surrey, UK

Tell you what India - Since you just earned a very easy few quid at the expense of Madeleine Mccann and her parents, without adding anything whatsoever to finding her, why don't you hand over your fee for the article to Team Mccann's campaign? Perhaps then people wouldn't be so quick to criticise the media from profiting (as you have just done) from others misfortune.

john smith, manchester, uk

You have hit it spot on, India. This is not about us, the viewers or readers. This is about trying desperately to find that one person who knows something. The person might be unaware of what he or she has seen and only publicity will reach that person.

R Gertz, Edinburgh,

What annoys me is the comment that if you don't like it, you can switch off. What, from life? Everybody I know is obsessed by the McCanns and berates me for not being so.

What happened was a tragedy and it sickens me to my very core that such people exist. But what can I do about it? I'll keep my eyes open and report anything I see to the police, but that is the end of my concern. I don't know the McCanns, never met anybody involved and have never been to the area.

However mentioning this to anybody else is met with revulsion and comments along the line of "don't you care", "are you heartless".

It is not the media coverage that I dislike, or even the mawkish interest of others, but the demonisation of anybody who does not feel the same.

Darren H, Manchester, UK

Best article I have read on this subject - thankyou
Who cares about anything except that if this publicity increases the likelihood of finding their child by even a fraction of a percentage then the McCanns are doing the right thing? How could they just take the plane home and accept the situation?????? Unthinkable.

Kate Scott, Manchester, UK

Id just like to say that what i have read in many of the emails makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. As parents they are doing whatever they can wherever they can in the hope of finding thier daughter. As a father i would do exactly the same. Yet some people are slating them for this. I wonder if these people are actually as low as the person or persons who have taken madeline. I know what id like to do to both groups

E. NISBETT, grimsby, uk

Devout Catholics? I thought Madeleine was an IVF child...

Phil, UK,

Our society is twisted and the media has no self-restraint these days. The coverage is excessive and driven by people who think this 'should be kept in the public eye until she is found'. People should be worrying about what isn't being reported while the papers are full of this. The Government loves it.

How many poor kids are going to be denied the freedom to go out and play because their dim-witted parents have been terrified out of their wits by this?

Anyone who is in the public eye is scared that if they don't make an appeal they will be condemned as 'uncaring'. The Prime Minister (to be) getting involved in this! Crazy.

It's the sign of an obsessive society, too many people who have no life and so try to live it through their children or other people's kids. It's creepy.

Robert, Manchester, UK

How strident.

B. Mullen, Oxford,

Totally agree India.


Shame on those who still persecte them

Mary Johnson, Ipswich,

I agree totally with this article, do people not understand publicity is vital in cases such as these?How easy to sit in judgement from our comfy armchairs. As a society we are supposed to be judged by how we treat the young and the old among us,our society is woefully inadequate on both counts.Madeleine represents every missing child,if this case wakes the public up,highlights the fact children are being abused,abducted and sometimes murdered,I for one will be thankful to Mr and Mrs, McCann.I am working class,surely I should resent the McCann,s?I am not needy,not wallowing in false grief and not taken in by the media.No just simply appalled that this could happen to anybody,black,white,aristocratic or unemployed.We tell our children there is no such thing as monsters,unfortunately there is .Even if you truly believe what the parents did was so awful,did they really deserve this terrible punishment?How inadequate I have felt realising I am surrounded by so many perfect parents.

Sarah Holland, Liverpool, UK

All the compassion & prayers from all the churches in the world won't undo 1 act of evil.
The McCanns want the world to stop and recognise their loss but we cannot take on the loss of every child who goes missing or dies. We couldn't operate as a society. Their loss is important to them but the campaign aims to make it everyone else's loss too.

Mail on Sunday has reported that police in London raided 2 properties at 2am, one had a 70yo women the other a single mother last Wednesday. Allegedly on tip offs from psychics. Talk about grasping at straws.

Portuguese police said it was their most expensive investigation yet. Now the roadshow is moving around Europe without any direction except to stay alive.

Mike, Dubai, UAE

I have enormous sympathy for the McCanns but I was surprised to hear that their visit to the Pope was headline news on the BBC. It really does seem an unbalanced sense of news values and I can understand the anger felt over the priority given to this one child over so many others.

What I would find more equitable would be a clear condemnation by the Catholic Church of paedophilia where ever it happens and whoever it is perpetrated by. The Church's self-serving brushing aside of child-abuse carried out in its own ranks is a stain which an audience with the Pope goes no way towards resolving.

Sarah Williamson, London,

Well written article.
Most parents would respond in the same way as the McCanns did if this would happen to them and every parent must be feeling their pain & anguish even if they do not want to admit it.
Young children should not and must not simply disappear !
We also need to be more aware of the other missing young children, to give them a chance to be found. Finding one missing child might even lead to Madeleine and finding Madeleine my even lead to finding another missing child.
More must be done to prevent future child abduction. If this abductor is not found, they may strike again.

We all must support the McCanns and other parents who are missing their young child. Please do not let this happen again, none of us want to see more parents go through the same agony that clearly the McCanns are experiencing and others have one through before.

All of us must make the World a safer place for our children, if we do not who will ?

Mrs Jones, London, UK

Most parents would die for their children, if I was the Mccanns, I ,like them would use any means possible to get some information about my child. We all make mistakes. How many parents have not lost their child for a minute or two whilst being distracted ,whilst out shopping or on the beach? thats all it takes. Thankfully we have been lucky, we must all remember that the only bad person in this is the PERSON WHO TOOK MADDY. Lets hope that she is found soon. It makes me wonder how many of these people who condemn the McCanns are parents?

Chris, Cardiff, Wales

The McCanns' are marvellous. The pain and anguish they are going through is difficult to bear. There campaign is bringing up the plight of everyone who has lost a child. Usually these children's parents go home and in no time at all when the media lose interest, the lost children are forgotton about.

It is about time something is done about the henious crime of abducting children by these depraved individuals. If the police were as competent as the McCanns' campaign, then maybe some clues would have been found out by now. The whole situation is very strange and they are brave to carry on despite their pain. Soon they will run out of time.

Every decent individual should praise and support their efforts.

Jane Hoch, Bushey/Herts, UK

In reply to Robert Grundy, London ... "weren't you bridesmaid to Princess Di?" I think you'll find that was India Hicks.

Good piece India.

Claire, London, UK

I think they have behaved with great dignity in an impossible situation. Our 'media' have done their usual thing, that is they have not exactly helped the situation while trying hard to sell their product. Yes, the McCanns contributed to the problem but not intentionally and there are a lot of people now blaming them. Have a heart, folks, they're just ordinary people like you and me and they can get things wrong, too. Sometimes you get unlucky with the criminal world and then the scale of the problem is out of all proportion with the error you have made.

Colin , Shrewsbury,

This needed to be said, well written and so apt. This united family are doing everything in their power to find their daughter and in doing so have raised the profile of every missing child. Who on earth can blame them ?
The milk of human kindness has run dry so quickly.
I hope this family read your words India, and take some renewed strength from them.
I hope those filling cruel words never find themselves in such need.

Annie, Kent, UK

Thank goodness the parents have the courage and faith to carry on searching and keeping this in the eye of the media - in spite of the anguish they must be going through -if they dont pursue it - no one else is going to do it - why dont the parents of the millions of other children missing do the same - you have to admire their courage.

baron, luz lagos,

India Knight, weren't you bridesmaid to Princess Di? It is wrong to equate the two situations and blame the lefties. It was in the rightwing press that I saw the first criticisms of the McCanns. Surely they are rueing the day they left their kids alone and they are milking the media just as they should and good on them. It does reflect on the media though that when its an ugly, foreign or working class child they can't really care to create a stir. Or maybe that reflects on us, their market, more generally. The Diana situation was pure mass hysteria - that way Nazism lies and I'm glad some of us were not swept up by it.

Robert Grundy, London,

it is not their fault that millions of children are abused or abducted every year. at the moment they are solely focussed on their daughter and who can blame them. if it were my child i would do anthing on earth if i thought it may result in finding my child and i wouldn't give a moments thought to anyones opinions of my actions. when you have been in their position, then you can criticise their methods.
it is a sick world we live in if people can't be bothered to leave alone a couple in their darkest hour, just because they don't approve of what they are doing. leave them alone.

ej, cheshire, uk

I agree with this article entirely. Yes, it's sad that one child gets this coverage, and the rest don't. But the suspect(s) won't stop with just Madeleine. Someone's child is next. The publicity generated isn't just for Madeleine. And let's get the coverage out for all children like Madeleine who have been taken. It is possible. In the US we have the "Amber Alert." A brilliant, but very simple plan. We are notified through emails, phone texts, and signs overhead our freeways notifying a child abducted with pertinent info of the child or abductor as soon as that child is taken. So far over 84% of our children are recovered alive this way! The eyes of strangers is the most useful tool an investigation can have. If Madeleine was to be taken, I wish it had been here. I hope and pray Madeleine is reunited with her mom and dad.

Leslie, Los Angeles, CA

Hmm, the media talking about the media talking about the McCanns using the media, saying don't talk about the media talking about the McCanns using the media and if you don't like it, switch off.

Er, thanks for that lesson.

S., England, UK

Selfish and naive adequately describe the McCanns who don't warrant the media exposure they're receiving which is primarily attributable to their middle-class status as Doctors. Even if the young girl hadn't been abducted and woken up to find her parents not there? What then? What if the two babies had been abducted also?

I sympathise with their plight but those who say they did no wrong don't know right from wrong themselves. They reneged on their responsibilities as parents and that's what's so manifestly wrong in our society today.

Steve, Portsmouth, Hants

Thank you, thank you, thank you India - at last a sensible article about this awful snatching of a child. Who cares what the "moral judges"think anyway? As you say, they can move on to moan about other things if they don't like it. Madeleine is a 4 year old little girl and a British citizen and we should all be saying NO, to this and other child abductions. I am doing all I can to help the appeal and the fund and I will continue to do so. I am wearing my yellow ribbon, I am displaying her poster, I am praying, I am emailing MPs, anything I can think of, and if anyone thinks this is mawkish, I really couldn't care less. Stop criticizing the parents - they have enough to deal with and these acts of unfeeling judgements are not helpful. It has happened, now we have to deal with how to get Madeleine back, and quickly. Gerry & Kate McCann are doing the most amazing job - keep it up, most of us are nice people who are right behind you and will remain so. God speed her home.

Sarah, Shropshire,

The McCanns are right to pursue their campaign and use all means in their efforts to secure the return of their daughter. As they themselves have stated this isn't just about Madeleine it is about all abducted children.

It is monstrous that these absductions are happening so frequently; as the McCann's have said there should be international co-operation to ensure that the perpetrators of this most hideous of crimes are caught.

Like millions of other people I follow the news everyday, hoping for Madeleine's safe return. Those critics who perceive concern for the plight of this little girl and compassion for the suffering of her parents as prurient, are ,like the criminals who perform these evil acts, devoid of humanity.

Patricia , Ipswich, England

After hearing so many criticise the McCanns it was good to read such a well balanced article. Thank you.

Karen Lancaster, Huddersfield, England

What seems to happened here is that Madeleine appears to be airbrushed out in favour of the McCanns suffering.. This story is so media and campaign lead (it looks like turning into an Aid for Africa event), that we are forgetting the abduction took place in Portugal and it is the faultless little girl who was caught into this The story of her abduction is full of inconsistencies-the events were so that the McCanns were called in to talk to the police about these-eg were the doors locked,unlocked ,how could they keep an eye on the children ,were the windows jemmied or not.etc. Now we have a shift that they do not blame each other or perhaps anyone else in their party ,i.e. the abductor was so determined to carry out the act that it would even have happened had they been there ! .Are they also suggesting that had they locked the door that the person concerned would have taken the risk of breaking it down ,waking the twins,just to take Madeleine. Rich and it is becoming quite undignified

George, Exeter, Devon

I am with Alex and Ian..it has turned into a wannabe celebrity media circus. A child is missing.Why do we need a running footage 24/7 of parents every move to remind us.Millions of kids go missing all over the world sold into cheap labour,slavery,sex trade, or turned into child soldiers.I am finding it hard to focus on the plight of one lone child whose parents have a seemingly inexhaustive amount of money to go on a world trip/search. I sympathize with them but abhor the methodology they are using. Why do all the other missing children get no coverage. It has become a really undignified non stop tragic opportunity.

M McGregor, Tunbridge Wells, UK

I am tired of the anti-racists comments about Madeleine's appearance by some people, the leftist rants and the people who have been worrying that the world thinks the British are a bunch of emotional weeping fools who couldn't keep it together over Diana either. My heart goes out to the McCanns. I couldn't imagine a more nightmarishly scenario. They have demonstrated the resilience that the Brits are famous for. I don't find the coverage excessive. You save one child - you save the future. I think if we as a society can't do more for our abducted children - if we get tired of a story after a few weeks because the amusement factor is over and our eyes are glazed - we're a sick old society. I like to think the majority of people are cheering the McCanns. It has woken me up to the horrific reality of child abduction. Thank you for this article

JL, Sydney, Australia

Seems that in the US there have been some instances where children have been found after a protracted period and, it would seem they have been found because members of the public knew of the abduction and responded. The Mccanns have no choice but to continue to publicise their daughters disappearance in the hope that someone somewhere feels compelled to pick up the phone with a snippet of information that will lead to her recovery. May it happen soon.

Maria, Colchester, UK

Hear hear India.

Jacqueline, Hong Kong,

Well, India, I can't disagree that sitting in judgement on the McCann's is not going to be remotely helpful in finding their daughter and should be avoided. However, I see nothing wrong with sitting in judgement on the media's voracity for the story and some people's prurience in wallowing in it. But I really think it's hypocritical of you to write such a peice. Routinely you sit in judgement on people who act counter to your own percieved view of the world and how it should be run. No doubt it is fair to say that by our actions, we each contribute to our own misfortunes, but why do you see as fair game for judgement. Only a coupe of weeks ago your comment on why a man might prefer a nanny to a 'go-getting' (and no doubt often absent) wife was "men are stupid like that". Passing judgement is what newpaper columnists rely on for copy, so why should you object to the general public doing the same?

Bob Finbow, Haverhill, England

Absolutely excellent article. May God and good people help the McCanns and may evil take the perpetrator to where it hurts most for the longest possible time.

P.S., Chexbres, Switzerland

"Lay off the McCanns"

YES - it would be especially good if TimesOnline were to do that.

The main exploiters of this story are the people like India Knight who won't leave it alone.

Sean Shalor, Coventry, UK

Spot on, India Knight. The McCanns are stuck in a living hell. I have felt utterly dismayed by the reactions of ordinarily kind, sane friends, who condemn the couple for leaving their children unattended in the first place and pour scorn on their publicity drive. They are missing the point. I saw that woman on Newsnight (a guest, not Kirsty Wark) roundly and smugly condemning the McCanns - and asking what about all the other, unpublicised abductions. Basically saying, how come Madeleine hogs the limelight. I wanted to put my foot through the screen. The McCanns have become whipping boys. I hope someone sends them your excellent article. They need all the human kindness they can get.

C. Morgan, Oxford,

I was one of a large family - my parents could not possibly have kept an eye on all of us, all day, and every day. So, we were just lucky that nothing bad happened. And it is luck because there are so many bad people in our world and they know how easy it is to abduct a child. They also understand that the chances are high they will not be caught. Have pity on this family who are suffering unbearable anquish - it could easily happen to you too. They are fighting for Madeleine every which way they can think of, and wouldn't you do that.

Marilyn Adams, Geneva, Switzerland

india knight is my favourite journalist. And this article just serves to confirm why . Imagine if Madeleine was your child.

michelle eriksson, durban,, south africa

|Excellent article and this is especially so "The point, surely, is that somebody somewhere knows or suspects what happened to Madeleine, and that her parents are desperate to attract that person’s attention by any means necessary. If, on the way, they make some of us feel uncomfortable, or voyeuristic, or even, whisper it, compassion-fatigued, that’s entirely our problem. "

I am definitely tired of seeing the mcanns on papers and TV, but then I am not its target, it's that one person who may be able ot help, if that person can be reached. Let's all hope that person does respond.

Neil Murphy, cromer,

Regardless, the coverage has been excessive. I am not cold-hearted, I look for news articles every day, praying that one time I check back the headline will be 'Maddy Found' instead of 'The Search Continues'.

But there are pros and cons of the coverage. Sure, it is great that it has made people aware, but maybe the coverage will do more harm than good.

Every part of me sympathizes with the MC Canns, but as you briefly mentioned there are hundreds of kids who go missing every day, so why aren't those parents who are suffering the same grief if not more in some cases, getting famous celebrities offering money, & private jets to raise awareness? This is truly a sad story, but for every article I read about it again, another child goes missing, & we will not see their faces plastered around the world. Why does this family deserve more publicity than any other ordinary family. This media attention bewilders me, in 1 month this story will fade, unless there is more breaking news.

Anna, Sydney,

Your article is spot on.

Have those who have complained that the McCanns have gained to much publicity thought they are actually helping others in a simlar situation by highlighting such an appauling nightmare.

My heart goes out to the McCanns, I am not sure I would be able to hold myself together as well as they have, if such a thing happened to one of my children!

Tim Wood, Marlborough, England

Call me inhumane, but i personally despise this entire story, it has turned into a christian aid advert...yes you feel sorry for them the first few times you see the advert but eventually you have no sympathy left, apathy takes over and you think wipe those damn flies off your face and sort yourself out.

Ok it is understandable that the picture must be circulated but lest we forget we've seen that picture for over a month now I think we know what she looks like and more importantly SHE WAS SNATCHED IN PORTUGAL might it make more sense to run the stories over there? Rather than here...I somehow don't think she's in a home in Rothley somewhere do you?

Alex Robinson, Leicestershire,

I don't think it's a matter of two wrongs not making a right. But, at a time when it's abundantly clear that nobody is going to "suddenly remember' a vital piece of evidence, they are still consciously manipulating the media in a way which _prevents_ attention being turned in a timely manner to other missing children.

If they were to invest all this effort in a campaign to get missing children's pictures on milk cartons, or a daily TV roll-calll of all missing children, I'd be one of the first to cheer them on. But no, they want us to ignore all other children for the sake of this one, effectively chosen at random. And that is a wrong which is far worse than mere cynicism about their motives.

Why not seek out and interview one of those other worried parents?

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

Hear! Hear! Bravo, India! An excellent article.

A. Watson, Exeter,

Excellent article. All I can say is that if you haven't experienced what the McCanns are going through, then surely you can't imagine what it's like. I hope for them that they have the strength to keep going for however long it takes to find their child!!!

Christine, Solihull, UK

I think you sat on the fence on this one. You sort of criticized them, and sort of supported them. Be kind, be supportive. beat least, humane. The McCanns have just lost a beloved child. Many of us, perhaps the majority, leave our kids once in a while, even just to go next door for 10 minutes and visit a neighbour.

Madeleine was in possession of all the things so many children have lost in todays world, innocence, delight, happiness, and trust,. Such a child was obviously well loved, and cherished. Many of us feel the utmost empathy for them, because we all know it could have happened to any one of us. Unless that is, we become so utterly paranoid that we refuse to leave for a second, our child's side. What a world.

Pat, calgary, canada

What a well written article - well done.

Jo, Brisbane,

I thank India Knight for her insightful commentary. It is reasoned articles such as this which lead me to read the Times as often as I can. One can only hope that Madeleine may be found soon and I join many others in praying for this to happy result.

Joseph McNeill, Independence, USA/Missouri

India knight is not my favourite columnist, but I caught myself nodding in agreeement several times as I read this article.

The McCann's or their advisors have been cynical and manipulative in maximising the publicity and maintaining the public interest in the disappearance of their daughter. Some seem repelled by their lack of helplessness, as if cool thinking and resourcefulness in dire circumstances was an offence against humanity. Personally, I can't help but admire the Mcann's.

Many have claimed that is only becuase the McCann's are an attractive family with whom we can empathise (which is often synonomous with 'aspire to be like') that they have received an unfair slice of the country's attention. Well they should complain to OffUnfair, Class Prejudice House, Twisted Logic Road, Whitehall. In Modern Britain, being middle class confers few advantages other than the knowledge that you have to rely on your own resources. That's exactly what the McCann's have done

Jeremy in OZ, Perth, Australia

India, well said. Common sense, compassion, without judgement or inappropriate, futile, petty intellectualization.

Melanie, Boston, USA

"They can only generate more headlines, because they believe that the end of headlines is the end of hope. Who among us would look them in the eye and condemn them for it?"

Nice try. The criticism is not aimed at the McCanns, but at their foolish belief, widely shared, that the media is 'real life' - if it ain't in the media, it ain't happening. A position assiduously defended by the media itself; here apparently by using the McCanns as a kind of human shield, pretending that criticism of the media's fondness for shallow sentimentality is actually directed at this grieving couple. It's self-serving rubbish.

In the real world it has been pointed out, by people whose job it is to know, that in a case of abduction too much publicity inundates the authorities with false sightings and simultaneously might panic the kidnappers and cause them to dispose of their hostage. A little self-restraint might make a real difference to the person who needs the help most.

philip, cambridge,

Very well said, India. I would suggest that the overwhelming public reaction to Madeleine's disappearance is that, in a small way, people genuinely want to try and make a difference. And they also understand the power of the media.

Hanna Simson, El Bolson, Argentina

It doesn't matter what the McCann's do - sooner or later this story WILL drift down the news and into smaller sections in the daily papers. They can juggle balls on top on unicycles if they want, - their story will, rightly or wrongly, be deemed less important and relevant as the weeks and months go by. Personally, I feel the coverage is excessive.

mark williams, cheltenham, gloucestershire

Well said India,some of the vitriolic language used about this case beggars belief;let's face it,some people just suck.
Period.

Michael J Rigby, Chorley Lancashire, England

Well said!

Deb, cavan, Ireland

Exactly, exactly right, thank you.

A C, Cannington, Somerset